Active Supporting Device for Health Bed and Method thereof

ABSTRACT

An active supporting device for a health bed and a method thereof is disclosed, an air spring layer is on a top surface of a mattress; the air spring layer comprises a plurality of gasbags, each of the gasbags is connected to an aerating/deflating device through an air tube set, the aerating/deflating device is connected to a control device, the control device drives the aerating/deflating device to aerate or deflate the gasbags of the air spring layer through the air tube set, each air tube of the air tube set is connected to a pressure sensor; the air spring layer is on a top surface of the mattress and covers the parts of a human being from the neck to the buttocks of the human being, initially the aerating/deflating device aerates the all gasbags and detect the pressure in each gasbag via each air tube, after each pressure approaches a preset value, the aeration is stopped, so that the aerating time period of each gasbag is obtained. Thus, the gasbags corresponding to the waist need longer time periods. After re-aeration, the gasbags corresponding to the waist are enough to actively support the waist for the best sleep.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an active supporting device for a health bed and a method thereof, more particularly, to an active supporting device and a method that using pressure sensors to detect the pressure value of each of gasbags obtains the gasbags corresponding to the waist of a human, so that the gasbags corresponding to the waist are able to actively fill up a gap between the curve and the bed.

2. Description of the Prior Art

With the high development of scientific products, general white-collars or office women and men are suffered to sleeplessness, which causes bad sleep quality, anxiety, melancholy, neck and shoulder pain, back pain, headache, tiredness, palpitations, hair loss, etc. Therefore, for a better sleep quality, general people skilled in the art may focus on the mattress for improvement. The prior arts for the improvement of the mattress are variable, such as memory bed, energy bed, etc. A common point for such prior arts is that of passive supporting. That is, the springs inside the bed are the role to support a user. As a matter of fact, the springs are compressed by the user and not the role for supporting the body of the user, so that the aforesaid suffering reasons can not be solved.

For figuring out above shortcomings, the present inventor had applied three PCTs, which number are PCT/CN2007/0002585, called cited case 1 hereinafter, PCT/CN2007/0002602, called cited case 2 hereinafter, and PCT/CN2007/0002956, called cited case 3 hereinafter. For the features of the cited cases, which will be described as follows:

Cited case 1 is a health bed that can adjust the curve of the vertebra of a human being and mainly comprises a plurality of lifting devices, which are driven by motors in order to drive an independent cylinder for moving up and down. Thus, the surface of the bed is formed as the curve of the vertebra of the human being for active support. But, through the motors to drive, the cost is comparatively high, and the product is hard to be welcome in the market.

Cited case 2 is the second generation of the health bed that can adjust the curve of the vertebra of a human being and mainly comprises a plurality of lifting devices, which are driven by airbags or waterbags in order to drive an independent cylinder for moving up and down. Thus, the surface of the bed is formed as the curve of the vertebra of the human being for active support. But, through the massive airbags or waterbags to drive and the complicate structure, the cost is comparatively high, and the product is hard to be welcome in the market as well.

Cited case 3 is the third generation of the health bed that can be adjusted according to the curve of the vertebra of a human being and mainly comprises a plurality of lifting devices, each lifting device has a base, a front end of the base has a groove, two sides of the groove have two positioned flexible members respectively, each flexible member is urged to one end of an activity bar for buffer in order to make the activity bar move up and down, height sensors are disposed on the side surfaces of the groove so as to detect the distance of the activity bar moving down, at least one air spring is disposed on the base, a top end of the air spring has an extended sensing bar, a bottom end of the air spring is almost attached to the activity bar so as to connect the air spring to an aerator, the aerator and the height sensors are connected to a control device. While the air spring is compressed by a user, the sensing bar is driven to move downwardly, the activity bar is moved a stroke downwardly. Thus, the height sensors may detect the distance of the activity bar moving to the lowest point and send a detected result to the control device. The control device determines whether the person lying on the bed is the user, if yes, the aerator is then driven by the control device to aerate the air spring based on the received signal of the detected result in order to actively support the ideal curve of the vertebra of the human being for the best sleep. However, cited case 3 has the all members therein, and it causes a huge volume and is not easily to be moved.

For solving the shortcomings of the three cited cases, a fourth case is submitted in Jun. 27, 2009, and its application Ser. No. 12/493,196 and titled as “a health bed to actively support the curve of the vertebra of a human being”, called cited case 4 hereinafter. Cited case 4 still adopts the height sensors to detect the curve of the vertebra. Hence, two shortcomings are caused and listed below:

-   -   1. To reach the purpose of using the height sensors to detect         the curve of the vertebra, adding a lower base and a plurality         of activity devices is a must, so that the cost is high and the         structure is complicate.     -   2.The height sensors cannot actually detect gasbags         corresponding the waist so as to make a worse supporting effect.

As it can be seen, the prior arts are still having the room to be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide an active supporting device for a health bed and a control method thereof. The active supporting device that obtains gasbags corresponding to the waist of a human being according to a preset pressure value and variable aerating time periods for the all gasbags so as to effectively support the waist.

The second objective of the present invention is to provide the active supporting device for the health bed and the control method thereof. Through the pressure sensors, the whole structure of the present invention is simplified to save the cost.

In order to approach above objectives, the active supporting device comprises a mattress, an air spring layer, a pressure sensor set, an air tube set, an aerating/deflating device, and a control device; the air spring layer is on a top surface of the mattress and covers the parts of a human being from the neck to the buttocks; the air spring layer comprises a plurality of gasbags, each of the gasbags is connected to an end of an air tube, the other end of the air tube is connected to the aerating/deflating device outside the mattress, the aerating/deflating device is connected to the control device, the control device drives the aerating/deflating device to aerate or deflate the gasbags of the air spring layer through the air tube set, each air tube of the air tube set is connected to a pressure sensor; while a user lies on the mattress, the control device drives the aerating/deflating device to aerate the all gasbags and detect the pressure in each gasbag via each air tube, after each pressure approaches the preset value, the aeration is stopped. Because the differences of the aerating time periods for the all gasbags, a curve of a vertebra is gained so as to further obtain the gasbags corresponding to the waist. After that, the all gasbags are completely deflated and re-aerated. Thus, the pressure in the gasbags corresponding to the waist is capable to actively support the waist for the best sleep.

Other and further features, advantages, and benefits of the invention will become apparent in the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory but are not to be restrictive of the invention. The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention in general terms. Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, spirits, and advantages of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be readily understood by the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptions, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic 3-D view of an active supporting device for a health bed of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic back 3-D view of the active supporting device for the health bed of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic sectional view of the active supporting device for the health bed of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic structural view of the active supporting device for the health bed of the present invention; and

FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C illustrate a schematic operation view of the active supporting device for the health bed of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Following preferred embodiments and figures will be described in detail so as to achieve aforesaid objects.

With references to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, which illustrate a schematic 3-D view of an active supporting device for a health bed of the present invention, a schematic back 3-D view of the active supporting device for the health bed of the present invention, a schematic sectional view of the active supporting device for the health bed of the present invention, and a schematic structural view of the active supporting device for the health bed of the present invention. The active supporting device includes: a mattress 1, an open 11 is disposed on a bottom surface of the mattress 1, a cushion 12 is wrapped around in the mattress 1, a top surface, near a front end, of the cushion 12 of the mattress 1 is disposed an upper accommodating room 121 and the bottom surface is disposed a lower accommodating room 122, a plurality of penetrating holes 123 are between the upper accommodating room 121 and lower accommodating room 122, the cushion is made of foam, independent cylinder, memory foam, flexible material, or other kinds of foam materials; an air spring layer 2, includes a top layer 21 and a plurality of gasbags S1˜S9, which are averagely distributed on the surface of the top layer 21, each gasbag has a plurality of aerating/deflating holes (not shown in figures) in order to dispose the air spring layer 2 in the upper accommodating room 121 of the cushion 12; an air tube set 3, includes a plurality of air tubes 31, one end of each air tube 31 is connected to one of the aerating/deflating holes S1˜S9 (not shown in figures), another end of the air tube 31 is through the penetrating hole 123 of the cushion 12 in order to exposed from the open 11 of the bottom surface of the mattress 1 by way of the lower accommodating room 122, and the exposed end of the air tube 31 from the open 11 is connected to a first-way tube 41 of a three-way tube 4; an aerating/deflating device 5, has a plurality of venting holes (not shown in figures), each venting hole is electrically connected to a control switch 6, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the control switches 6 is connected to a second-way tube 42 of the three-way tube 4, so that the aerating/deflating device 5 is capable of aerating the gasbags S1˜S9; a pressure sensor set 8, includes a plurality of pressure sensors 81, each pressure sensor 81 is connected to a third-way tube 43 of the three-way tube 4 in order to detect a pressure inside each gasbag; and a control device 7, is connected to the aerating/deflating device 5, the control switches 6 and the pressure sensor set 8, thus the control device 7 starts up or shuts down the control switch 6 according to the signal of the detected result from the pressure sensor 81, so that the aerating/deflating device 5 is able to aerate or deflate each gasbag or all gasbags simultaneously, the control device 7 can be a PC (personal computer), a laptop, a PDA, or other electronic products with screens or input interfaces, and the input interface can be buttons, keys, a touch screen, or a remote controller, wherein the top surface of the cushion 12 of the mattress 1 is covered by an upper pad 13 in order to position the air spring layer 2 so as to comfort a user, and the upper pad 13 can be made of memory foam, latex pad, different types of foam materials, or flexible materials.

With references to FIG. 4 to FIG. 5C, FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C illustrate a schematic operation view of the active supporting device for the health bed of the present invention. While the user 9 is the first time to lie on the surface of the mattress 1, the neck to the buttocks of the user 9 are corresponding to the air spring layer 2, the gasbags S1˜S9 of the air spring layer 2 are therefore urged by different parts of the user 9, such as the shoulder, back, waist, buttocks, etc. The control device 7 sets a preset value for an aerating pressure value and turns on every control switch 6 in order to aerate the gasbags S1˜S9 simultaneously. Through the pressure sensors 81, the detected pressure value of each gasbag may be sent to the control device 7. Therefore, once the detected pressure value of any gasbag approaches the preset value, the control device 7 may shut down the control switch 6. The gasbags S1˜S9 is applied by a different force of the different part of the user 9, that is, the gasbags S1˜S3 and S7˜S9 directly compressed by the parts as the shoulder, back and buttocks of the user 9 may approach the preset value in shorter time periods; other gasbags S4˜S6 not directly compressed by the part as the waist of the user 9 may reach the preset value in a longer time period. Hence, a curve of the time period in proportion to the gasbags is obtained, as shown in FIG. 5B. The curve represents the curve of the vertebra of a human being. Via the curve, the gasbags S4˜S6 corresponding to the waist of the user 9 are obtained, and the curve can be shown on a display of the control device 7.

After obtaining the gasbags S4˜S6, the control device 7 turns on the control switches 6 to drive the aerating/deflating device 5 to deflate the all gasbags S1˜S9. Then, the aerating/deflating device 5 individually aerates the gasbags S1˜S9 based on the curve, so that each aerated gasbag corresponding to the waist may fill up a gap between the curve and the mattress, therefore to actively support the waist of the user 9 is approached so as to comfort the user 9 for the best sleep.

Further, by means of the control device 7, a plurality of curve modes made by aerating the gasbags S1˜S9 can be set in advance. Then, the user 9 is able to select a desired curve mode through the input interface of the control device 7 after the control device 7 obtains the gasbags S4˜S6 corresponding to the waist of the user 9. The gasbags with the largest aerating pressure of the desired curve mode are the gasbags corresponding to the waist.

While the desired curve mode cannot effectively support the waist of the user 9, the aerating capacity for each gasbag can be adjusted through the input interface of the control device as well.

When the user 9 takes off from the mattress 1, each pressure sensor 81 may detect the pressure change of each gasbag and sends the detected signal to the control device 7. The control device 7 thus drives the aerating/deflating device 5 to deflate the all gasbags S1˜S9 so as to flat the mattress 1.

Comparing with prior arts, the present invention has the following advantages, which include:

-   -   1. Depending on the preset pressure value and the variable         aerating time periods for the all gasbags, the gasbags         corresponding to the waist of a human being can be precisely         obtained so as to effectively support the waist. Hence, the         present invention may meet with different figures of users.     -   2. Through the pressure sensors, the whole structure is         simplified to save the cost.

Although the invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, the principles involved are susceptible for use in numerous other embodiments that will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. This invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims 

1. An active supporting device for a health bed comprising: a mattress, an open being disposed on a bottom surface of the mattress, a cushion being wrapped around in the mattress and having a plurality of penetrating holes; an air spring layer, comprising a top layer and a plurality of gasbags, each gasbag having a plurality of aerating/deflating holes in order to dispose the air spring layer on the surface of the cushion; an air tube set, comprising a plurality of air tubes, one end of each air tube being connected to one of the aerating/deflating holes, another end of the air tube being through the penetrating hole of the cushion in order to exposed from the open of the bottom surface of the mattress; an aerating/deflating device, having a plurality of venting holes, each venting hole being connected to a control switch, each of the control switches being connected to every air tube; a pressure sensor set, comprising a plurality of pressure sensors, each pressure sensor being connected to each of the gasbags in order to detect a pressure inside each gasbag and send out a detected result; a control device, having a plurality of aerating modes, which are curve modes formed after aerating the all gasbags in several times, being connected to the aerating/deflating device, the control switches and the pressure sensor set and receiving the detected results from the pressure sensor set; wherein the control device firstly activates the control switches for aerating the pressure of the gasbags to a preset value through the aerating/deflating device and detects the time period for aerating each gasbag to the preset value via the pressure sensor so as to obtain a time curve that is the curve of the vertebra of a human being and further determine the gasbags corresponding to the waist of the human being, then completely deflating the gasbags and automatically aerating the gasbags according to the aerating modes of the control device to form the curve of the vertebra of the human being, the pressures of the gasbags corresponding to the waist of the human being being the top points of the curve of the vertebra of the human being so as to precisely support the waist of the human being.
 2. The active supporting device for the health bed according to claim 1, wherein a top surface, near a front end, of the cushion of the mattress is disposed an upper accommodating room and the bottom surface is disposed a lower accommodating room, the penetrating holes being between the upper accommodating room and lower accommodating room, and the air spring layer being disposed in the upper accommodating room.
 3. The active supporting device for the health bed according to claim 1, wherein the cushion is selected from the group consisting of: foam, independent cylinder, memory foam, flexible material.
 4. The active supporting device for the health bed according to claim 2, wherein the top surface of the cushion of the mattress is covered by an upper pad in order to position the air spring layer.
 5. The active supporting device for the health bed according to claim 4, wherein the upper pad is selected from the group consisting of: memory foam and latex pad.
 6. The active supporting device for the health bed according to claim 1 further comprising a three-way tube, a first-way tube of the three-way tube being connected to the end of the air tube that is through the penetrating hole of the cushion in order to exposed from the open of the bottom surface of the mattress, a second-way tube of the three-way tube being connected to the control switches, and a third-way tube of the three-way tube being connected to the pressure sensors for that the pressure sensors detect the pressure values of the gasbags.
 7. The active supporting device for the health bed according to claim 1, wherein the control device has an input interface and is selected from the group consisting of: a PC (personal computer), a laptop and a PDA.
 8. The active supporting device for the health bed according to claim 7, wherein the input interface of the control device is selected from the group consisting of: buttons, keys and a touch screen.
 9. A method for actively supporting a health bed comprising the steps of: (S1) disposing an air spring layer on a top surface of a mattress, the air spring layer comprising a plurality of gasbags, each gasbag being connected to a control switch of a venting hole of an aerating/deflating device through an air tube, the air tube being connected to a pressure sensor so as to detect the pressure in the gasbag, then a detected result being sent to a control device, which starts up or shuts down the control switch according to the receiving signal of the detected result, so that the aerating/deflating device is able to aerate each gasbag or all gasbags simultaneously; (S2) the control device initially having a preset value and detecting whether the pressure of each gasbag is achieved to the preset value through the pressure sensor, the control device then determining the time period for aerating each gasbag to the preset value so as to obtain the curve of the vertebra of a human being according to the variable time periods of aerating the all gasbags, wherein the gasbag of the longest time period is corresponding to the waist of the human being; and (S3) after obtaining the curve of the vertebra of the human, the control device starting up the control switch, then the aerating/deflating device individually aerating each gasbag based on the curve after completely deflating the all gasbags, so that each aerated gasbag corresponding to the waist may fill up a gap between the gasbag and the mattress.
 10. The method for actively supporting a health bed according to claim 9, wherein the control device is input a plurality of curve modes, formed after aerating the all gasbags in several times, of different vertebras in advance, a required curve mode of the curve modes being selected via an input interface of the control device while the control device obtains the gasbags corresponding to the waist of the human being, the gasbag with the largest aerating pressure of the desired curve mode being the gasbag corresponding to the waist. 